The Global Relay Bridge the Gap fund bursaries are back again for the 2023 season.
If you are a road cyclist who dreams of becoming a professional athlete, this grant is for you.
Applications for the 2023 Global Relay Bridge the Gap grants are open from now until November 20th. Canadian cyclists between the ages of 17-25 for men, and 17-29 for women can apply.
Applications are reviewed by the board and fund advisors and will be evaluated based on results, yearly progression, testing data and other information. Our goal is to help Canada’s best young riders as they enter their critically important U23 years. Athletes can complete the application online on the GR BTG website.
“Global Relay Bridge the Gap fund is excited to offer another year of grants and services that we believe add value to the Canadian cycling community and will help to develop Canada’s next generation of World-class riders,” says Leah Kirchmann, managing director of the fund.
Time of change
Canadian cycling is experiencing a period of change and need, which encouraged the fund to shift some focus onto new initiatives this past season. Highlights from this year include the introduction of the inaugural Canadian Cup ranking, the continuation of the #conversations webinars, and an enhanced focus on women’s cycling.
“In 2022, BTG offered funding for the “Ride like a Girl” program and Karol-Ann Canuel, our mentor program lead, ran a women’s racing camp in Gatineau” added Leah Kirchmann.
Next to offering rider grants, BTG offers grants for youth clubs and financial support for special team projects. These application forms are also available on the BTG website. Finally, athletes can apply to the mentorship program. This program pairs an athlete in development with an experienced Canadian athlete who can share tips and advice. “We believe that the mentorship program is one of the most valuable services we continue to offer as an organization,” concludes Leah Kirchmann.
How to apply
If you are interested in applying for a grant and/or mentorship program, we invite you to fill out the application form on the BTG website https://grbridgethegap.com/about/
About GR-BTG
Our website tells our story: grbridgethegap.com. Founded in 2012 by five of Canada’s top cyclists the BTG fund invests in youth cycling, developing athletes and special projects. We have grown as a collective of athletes helping athletes. We’ve invested over $1.2M since 2013 assisting more than 100 athletes and 13 youth cycling programs/projects to make Canadian cycling more awesome.